The 2026 U·S·–Iran War and Its Implications for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Exports and Global Energy Markets: The State of Qatar as a Case Study

Résumé

This study analyzed the 2026 United States–Iran War and its impact on global LNG exports, using Qatar as a case study. Qatar was chosen because it is a major exporter of liquefied natural gas and depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz to export LNG to other countries. The study also examined the political and geopolitical aspects of military conflict and its consequences for LNG production and exports, as well as its broader impact on global energy security and energy markets abroad. To achieve this goal, the study followed a historical-analytical approach, providing a chronological description of how the 2026 United States–Iran War unfolded and how it affected liquefied natural gas trade. The materials included official documents, documents released by international organizations, economic statistics, and professional academic studies. The research found that the 2026 United States–Iran War disrupted global energy trade flows, drove up LNG prices, and increased maritime transportation and insurance rates, highlighting flaws in global energy security structures that rely too heavily on the Strait of Hormuz. The study also showed that, although Qatar remains the world's largest LNG exporter, it was heavily affected by the Iran-U.S. conflict because of its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. As a consequence, Asian and European energy markets were affected. The research concluded that to increase global energy security, countries must diversify supply sources, transportation routes, and reserve stocks, and promote cooperation with other countries to prevent future crises from affecting energy market stability.